Our theme for the January 2024 Convening was the HeART of Transformation – bringing forth the importance of art in our life, and its often overlooked connection to our work. On the tables, we shared the names of a number of artists from the area and throughout the state. Each of these artists have played crucial roles in shaping the art scene in the Pacific Northwest, contributing to the region’s cultural richness and diversity.

Jacob Lawrence: an American painter known for his portrayal of African-American historical subjects and contemporary life. Lawrence referred to his style as “dynamic cubism,” drawing great inspiration from West African and Meso-American art.

Reina Priest: An enrolled member of the Lhaq’temish (Lummi) Nation. She served as the 6th Washington State Poet Laureate (2021-2023) and was named the 2022 Maxine Cushing Gray Distinguished Writing Fellow.

Jason Laclair: Jason grew up around many master carvers and Coast Salish Artists and was inspired to start learning at a young age. Learning from looking at books and other People’s designs. It wasn’t until recently when Jason decided to learn and practice the Designs of His Coast Salish Ancestors/People, Jason said that this transformation was out of necessity to represent his People in the True style of this Beautiful Coast Salish Territory.

Preston Singletary (Tlingit): Glass artist recognized for his innovative use of traditional Tlingit designs in contemporary glass art. Singletary’s art has become synonymous with the relationship between Tlingit culture and fine art. His glass sculptures deal with themes of Tlingit mythology and traditional designs, while also using music to shape his contemporary perspective of Native culture.

Storme Webber: a Two Spirit Sugpiaq/Black/Choctaw poet and interdisciplinary artist. Her work is cross-genre, incorporating text, performance, audio and altar installation, archival photographs and collaboration to engage with ideas of history, lineage, gender, race and sexuality. Her practice explores liminal identities, survivance and decolonization, and does so in a blues/jazz-based experimental manner, often incorporating acapella vocals.